Sausage-linking machine.



No. 639,648. Patented nee. l9, I899.

C. E. AVERY.

SAUSAGE LINKING MACHINE.

(Application filcd May 28, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets$heet l.

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THE Noams Pa'rzn; c0. PHOTGLITHOH WASHINGTON, D. c,

mz wh 15 No. 639,648. Patentqd D60. 19, I839.

C. E. AVERY.

. SAUSAGE LINKING MACHINE.

' Application filed May 28, 1898 (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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WITNESSES:

No. 639,648. Patented Dec. I9, I899.

-C. E. AVERY. SAUSAGE LINKING MACHINE.

WITNESSES! INVENTOF? g w%%// Y d/ZZW u 0 1M1, ATTORNEY THE mums PEYERS co. PHOYO-UTHQ, WASHINGTON, a. c.

0. E. AVERY.

SAUSAGE LINKING MACHINE;

(Application filed May 28, 1898.) (H Model.)

WITNESSES: INVENTOH QW/Q/W 1 m ATTORNEY m: NcRm PETERS m. womuwo, wnsumcnon. nv g;

Pat en ted Dec. 19, 1 899.

5 Sheets- Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

WlTNESSES:

Patented Dec. 19,1899.

C. E. AVERY.

SAUSAGELINKING MACHINE. I

(Application filed. May 28, 1898.)

IIIMIIII m: mums PETERS c0. PHOTO-LITHLI. WASP" 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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L. ATTORNEY CHARLES E. AVERY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO EDWIN J. TOOF, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SAUSAGE-LINKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 639,648, dated December 19, 1899.

Application filed May 28, 1898. Serial No. 681,969. (No model.)

To aZZ who/1t it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. AVERY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sausage-Linking Machines,

, of which the following description, taken in connection with the drawings herewith accompanying, is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for dividing a filled sausage-casing into sections or links of a desired length and then twisting the same, whereby they will permanently retain their divided or linked form. In the machines heretofore provided for this purpose means have been provided for carrying or feeding a filled sausage-casing to a certain position relative to the dividing and twisting mechanism and then holding the same in a stationary position while the said dividing and twisting mechanism performed its function of linking the sausage. An intermittent feeding and stopping movement of the filled sausage-casing thus occurs during the operation of the machine to form the same into links, and it is this continuous stopping of the sausage-casing during its feeding movement and the delay thereby incurred while the linking mechanismperforms its function which render such machines objectionable, as the rapidity secured in the operation of linking sausage by the use of the same is but little, if any, greater than the hand method.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efiective machine of this character that will operate to feed or carry the filled sausage-casing with a continuous movement and operate upon the same during such movement to form and twist the links. This object I secure by means of the novel construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth in detail and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention, a portion of the same being broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section. Fig. 4: is a side elevation of a machine, partly in section, embodying my invention in a somewhat different form from that shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3; and Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the same, also partly in section.

To explain in detail, the frame of my improved machine as herein shown consists of an open substantially rectangular casting a, which is angular in cross-section and supported in a horizontal position upon suitable legs or supports a, forming a part of the frame. 7

Two pairs of sprocket-wheels b b and b b, respectively, are supported in a horizontal position adjacent to the opposite sides of the frame or upon short vertically-arranged shafts b, which latter are loosely journaled in brackets a which are adjustably secured to the cross-bars a a of the frame by bolts or screws o Two endless sprocket-chains c and c are connected with the wheels I) b and b b, respectively, whereby the inner or adjacent sides of the chains will move in the same plane and in parallel lines with each other. Secured upon each of these chains at certain predetermined distances are grippingjaws 0 which are so arranged that their outer ends will be in a position opposite and adjacent to each other when moving in a central path between the opposite chains, as more clearly shown in Fig.1.

The wheels I) b and b b are adapted to be operated with a continuous movement by any suitable driving means, whereby the said jaws c on the opposite chains 0 and 0 will be caused to grip the filled sausage-casing and carry or feed the same with a continuous movement through the machine while it is being twisted and linked,as will hereinafter be described. The means for operatingthe said sprocket-wheels as herein shown is as follows: -A driving-shaft d is'journaled in the frame or adjacent to one end thereof and provided with two gears 01 cl thereon, which mesh, respectively, one with a gear 61 on the vertical shaft which carries one of the pair of wheels I) and the other with a gear d on the shaft which carries one of the pair of wheels I). In this manner it will be understood that both of the chains 0 and 0 maybe driven in unison with a continuous and uni 10o form movement.

In the operation of the machine a filled sausage-casing is guided in the front end of the same through a suitable trongh (not shown in the drawings) to a position to be gripped between the moving jaws 0 when two of the same are brought to a position opposite each other after being carried around the sprocket-wheels at such end of the machine. When the end of the sausage-casing is thus gripped, it is carried forward by the moving jaws between the two chains, so that as the succeeding jaws come opposite each other they also grip and compress the sausagecasing, so as to carry or feed the same, and also divide the filled casing into sections or links of the desired lengths, as denoted at 2, 3, and 4 in Fig. 2.

In order to twist the divided links, whereby they will permanently retain their divided or linked form, I have supported two rolls 6 and f, one above the other, at opposite sides of the horizontal path of the gripping-jaws 0 the lower rollebeingprovided with-a spiral rib e thereon and the upper rollf also having a spiral rib f thereon in the form of a spring. Both of the ribs e and f wind upon the rolls in the same direction, so that as the latter are revolved in like direction the adjacent or opposing surfaces of the two ribs will continue immediately opposite they move past each other throughout their length from one end of the rolls to the other. By this construction it will be understood that a sausage-section held between the inner or adjacent oppositely-moving surfaces of the two ribs will be rolled between the same, and that such rolling or twisting action will continue during the forward movement of the casing between the rolls.

The opposite ribs c and f are arranged relative to the gripping-jaws a so as to engage with every alternate sausage section or link that is gripped and carried through the machine by the moving jaws 0 as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the operation of the said ribs, in combination with the jaws a", being as follows: \Vhen the casing in its forward movement has been gripped between two successive pairs of jaws, as the section 2 in Fig. 2, the movement of the rolls is so timed relative to the forward movement of the jaws c that one end of each of the ribs 6' and f will engage with the opposite sides of said divided sausage-section 2, and as the adjacent surfaces of the opposing ribs move in opposite directions the interposed sausage is thereby rolled and twisted during the continued forward movement of the same until it has reached the position occupied by the section 4, at which time the rolls have made a complete revolution and the opposite rear ends of the ribs move from engagement with the sausage section or link, the latter having been sufficiently twisted to permanently retain its linked form. As the rear ends of the ribs move from engagement with the twisted link as described their forward ends engage with the second following link 2 and twist the same in like manner, the intermediate link 3 being held opposite the space between the spirals of. the ribs and so remaining unacted upon, it being understood that it is only necessary to roll every alternate link in order to twist the casing between each of the same.

The rolls 0 andfmaybe supported and operated in any suitable manner, the lower roll 6, as herein shown, being mounted upon a shaft 6 which is journaled in the frame of the machine and provided with a gear 6 on one end thereof meshing with a second gear 6 on the driving-shaft (Z, whereby the roll is driven from the latter. The upper roll fis journaled in two arms g g and operated from the lower roll 6 to revolve in unison therewith by means of a chain h engaging with two sprocket-wheels h and 71 located on the upper and lower roll shafts f and 6 respectively.

The chain h if run'directly between the sprocket-wheels h and h2 would prevent vertical adjustment of the rolls relative to each other, which adjustment is desirable to em able the machine to be adapted for linking sausages of different sizes. To provide for such adjustment, I have run the chains over two guide-wheels 7L3 and h, located adjacent to one side of the machine, the wheel .h being journaled on a cross-shaft 71 which is supported on the upper side of the frame at one side thereof, and the wheel 7L being journaled at the end of a short arm which is pivotally connected with the said cross-shaft 71,

When the sausage-casing is being twisted between the ribs on the rolls 6 and f, as be fore described, it is desirable that the ribs grip the interposed casing with just sufficient pressure to turn the same and without unduly squeezing it. For such reason the rib f of the upper roll f is in the form of a spiral spring which is loosely supported around the roll, with its opposite ends f f seated within openings in said roll adjacent to its opposite ends, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. By this construction the rib f bears upon the sausage-casing with a yielding pressure which is just sufficient to hold the same in operative engagement with the lower rib e.

In twisting sausages of slightly-different diameter the spring-rib f will readily adapt itself to such variation; but for any very material difference it is desirable that the space between the rolls be varied accordingly. To provide forsuch adjustmentdhave supported the upper roll f in the end of two arms g g, which are pivotally supported in the crossshaft 77):. These arms are supportedwith their outer roll-supporting ends in a vertically-adjustable position by means of a crossbar g, which connects with the said arms by having its ends g extend through elongated slots g in the latter, and two screws g 9 which pass through screw-threaded openings in the cross-bar g and connect at their lower end with the frame in a vertically-stationary position. By-this means the screw g may be turned in the proper direction to either raise or lower the bar 9, and thereby adjust the vertical position of the connecting-rollf as may be desired.

Referringto Figs. 4and 5, I have illustrated my invention in a somewhat-different form from that before described. In this instance I employ three rolls instead of two, but each being provided with a spiral rib which cooperate together in twisting a sausage-link as it is carried forward between the same by the gripping-jaws in substantially the same manner as before described relative to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Two rolls 7% m are journaled side by side on the supporting-frame and each provided with a gearm at one end thereof, meshing with gears m m on the driving-shaft (Z. These two rolls are each provided with a raised spiral rib m thereon which are so arranged relative to each other that as the rolls are rotated in the same direction the sausage-engaging surfaces of the two ribs will continue in a position directly opposite each other, as before described relative to the ribs on the rolls 6 and f. Above the rolls m m and in a central line between the same is supported a third roll at. This roll 7t, which is adapted to rest upon the sausage-casing and hold the same with sufficient pressure against the ribs of the rolls m m to be rolled and twisted thereby, is j on rnaled in the end of two arms a n, which are pivotally supported upon the cross-shaft h and correspond to the arms 9 9 before described.

The roll 71 instead of being supported in a stationary vertically-adjustable position like the roll f rests loosely upon the sausage-casing, the weight of the same being sufficient to hold the latter with the desired pressure against the ribs of the lower rolls. As the only function of the roll it is to thus hold the sausage casing with the desired pressure against the ribs of the lower rolls, it is made only about one-half as large in diameter as the latter. For this reason it is provided with a rib 72 having double the number of spirals of those on the lower rolls and adapted to be revolved with twice the speed of the latter, whereby a portion of its rib will continue opposite the sausage-engaging portion of the ribs on the said lower rolls. In other words, the sausage-section carried between the rolls to be twisted will be engaged at three points.

The roll n is driven from one of the rolls m to operate in proper time therewith in the same manner as the rollfis driven from the roll et'. 6., the shaft of one of the rolls m and the shaft of the roll at are each provided with a sprocket-wheel n thereon, which are operatively connected by a sprocket-chain n operating over two guide-wheels n and at. Any suitable means for operating the rolls, however, other than that shown and described may be employed without departure from my invention.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 I have provided a wheel 0, which is arranged at one end of the machine in a position to receive the twisted sausage-section on its grooved periphery when released by the gripping-jaws and carry the same well forward of the latter, as shown in Fig. 4. This wheel 0 is mounted on a short shaft 0, which is journaled in two bracket-arms o 0 secured on the frame a, and is operated by means of a gear 0 in the shaft of one of the rolls on meshing with a gear 0 on its supporting-shaft 0'.

The gripping-jaws 13 shown in Figs. 4: and 5 differ in form from those shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this instance the ends of the jaws are curved and bent, as shown, so as to cross each other when performing their work. As the wheel 0 is located in the path of the gripping-jaws at the point where they begin to open, so as to receive the sausage-sections as they are released by said jaws, it is provided with radial openings 0 into which the jaws enter a short distance and then move laterally out of the same as the chains to which they'are attached move around the sprocketwheels,itbeing understood that the movement of the wheel 0 is so timed as to bring one of its openings opposite the gripping-jaws as each pair of the latter successively reach a position adjacent to the same.

Having thus illustrated and described different practical embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious that the construction and combination of the several parts maybe materially modified without departure from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a filled sausage-casing with a continuous movement and dividing the same into sections or links Without interrupting said movement, and means for twisting a divided link relative to another link during such continuous movement.

2. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a filled sausage-casing with a continuous longitudinal movement, jaws traveling in unison with said carrying means for dividing the easing into links and holding it so divided without interrupting said movement, and means for twisting a divided link relative to another link during such continuous movement.

3. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a filled sausage-casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing the same into links without interrupting said movement, and means for twisting a divided link relative to another link during such continuous movement, embodying a revolving spiral roll for engaging with the link, and means for holding the latter in operative contact with said roll.

4. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a filled sausage-casing with a continuous longitudinal IIO movement and dividing the same into links,

and spiral rolls revolving each in the same direction for engaging with and twisting a divided link relative to another link during such continuous movement.

5. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a filled sausage-casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing the same into links, a revolving spiral roll for engaging with a divided link, and adjustable means for holding the latter in contact with said roll, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a filled sausage-casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing the same into links, and means for twisting a divided link relative to another link during such continuous 1novement,embodying two spiral rolls revolving each in the same direction and one being yielding relative to the other, for the purpose set forth.

7. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a filled sausage-casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing the same into links without interrupting said movement, two spiral rolls revolving both in the same direction for engaging with and twisting a divided link relative to another link, and a pivoted swinging frame supporting one of said rolls.

8. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of a pair of continuously-moving carriers provided with a series of cooperating jaws for carrying a filled sausage-casing and dividing the same int-0 links without interrupting its movement, and means for twisting a divided link carried by said jaws relative to another link.

9. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of a pair of continuously-moving endless chains or carriers operating over suitable supports and each being provided with a series of cooperating jaws for carrying a filled sausage-casing and dividing the same into links, and a revolving spiral roll operating transversely between certain predetermined pairs of the cooperating jaws to twist a divided link held thereby relative to another link.

10. In a sausage-linking machine, the combination, of a pair of continuously-moving endless chains or carriers operating over suitable supports and each being provided with a series of cooperating jaws for carrying a filled sausage-casing and dividing the same into links, a revolving spiral roll operating transversely between certain predetermined pairs of the cooperating jaws to twist a divided link held thereby relative to another link, and means for receiving the twisted links as they are released by the engaging jaws and carrying the same forward of the path of the latter.

CHARLES E. AVERY.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. DANE, E. STEVENS. 

